Latest news with #AmbulanceandRescueGuernsey
BBC News
08-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Marine ambulance returns to Guernsey after refurbishment work
Marine ambulance returns after refurbishment work Maintenance on the nearly 30-year-old vessel is being carried out in various phases throughout the year In total, the work is expected to cost about £200,000. Maintenance on the nearly 30-year-old vessel is being carried out in various phases throughout the year. Upgrades made to the St John Marine Ambulance, the Flying Christine III, could extend its life by up to 10 years, the service said. The Bailiwick's only marine ambulance has returned to Guernsey after refurbishment work in the Isle of Wight. Back for Liberation Day Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey's chief executive officer, Mark Mapp, said it was cheaper to rebuild the vessel than replace it. "We've done a lot of work on the interior cabin where the treatment area is. Essentially it looks like a normal road ambulance in the back of the Flying Christine." Mr Mapp said it was important the vessel was back in the island for Liberation Day as it was involved in some of the celebrations. "She needs a good deep clean before she goes back into service and all the clinical and medical equipment needs to be put back on her first." Phase one of the maintenance programme has now been completed with the second phase scheduled for December, avoiding the summer period when demand for the marine ambulance is normally higher. Volunteer marine operations manager, Gary Ward, said the vessel was "good to go for another 10 years or even more." Mr Ward said: "Phase one was to do all the mechanical side to the boat. Looking after the engines, the gearboxes and the electronics and now we've just done the hull, the superstructure, the clinical cabin, all the navigation system has been replaced."
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Guernsey's only marine ambulance 'back by Easter'
The bailiwick's only marine ambulance will be back in service by Easter, according to Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey. The Flying Christine III has entered the second phase of its refurbishment project, which will ensure it is fit for purpose for another decade. As part of the work, a hull restoration and fender replacement has been carried out to preserve the structural integrity of the vessel. It will also need a superstructure repainting and receive upgrades to the onboard clinical area that will improve infection prevention and control, the ambulance service says. Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey's chief executive officer Mark Mapp said: "For three decades, the Flying Christine III has been a lifeline for island communities, responding to medical emergencies in challenging marine environments, where conventional ambulance transport is simply not an option. "Whether it's an urgent medical evacuation from Sark, Herm, or Alderney, or providing advanced paramedic care at sea, this vessel plays an irreplaceable role in the bailiwick." He added: "Given the demanding nature of marine operations, the vessel over the past 30 years has been subjected to extreme conditions, making this refurbishment not just beneficial, but absolutely necessary." Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Marine ambulance marks 30 years of service Half of marine ambulance fundraising target hit Plea for funding for marine ambulance upgrade Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey
BBC News
12-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Guernsey's only marine ambulance 'back by Easter'
The bailiwick's only marine ambulance will be back in service by Easter, according to Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey. The Flying Christine III has entered the second phase of its refurbishment project, which will ensure it is fit for purpose for another decade. As part of the work, a hull restoration and fender replacement has been carried out to preserve the structural integrity of the will also need a superstructure repainting and receive upgrades to the onboard clinical area that will improve infection prevention and control, the ambulance service says. Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey's chief executive officer Mark Mapp said: "For three decades, the Flying Christine III has been a lifeline for island communities, responding to medical emergencies in challenging marine environments, where conventional ambulance transport is simply not an option."Whether it's an urgent medical evacuation from Sark, Herm, or Alderney, or providing advanced paramedic care at sea, this vessel plays an irreplaceable role in the bailiwick."He added: "Given the demanding nature of marine operations, the vessel over the past 30 years has been subjected to extreme conditions, making this refurbishment not just beneficial, but absolutely necessary."
